Links for Applicants
Below you will find a few important links for applicants of the Housing Choice Voucher Program
RENTAL SCAMS
While no two rental scams are exactly alike, there are common warning signs that could indicate you’re in danger of becoming a victim of fraud. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
No lease is available. If there is no lease available or the lease you receive is incomplete, the listing or property manager likely does not have your best interests in mind. Without a lease in place, your rental terms could change whenever and however the listing owner wants. Worse, it’s easy for the rental scammer to disappear with your money, leaving you with no legal claim to the property.
The address isn’t verified. If you’re starting to suspect that there’s something fishy about a property management company, search the rental address online. Some listings may have addresses that aren’t verified or don’t exist at all. You might also find that the property is in foreclosure, that it’s listed multiple times or that the listing agent is not actually associated with the management company.
The listing agent or property manager asks you to wire money or pay in an unusual way. If the property manager asks you to wire money, the listing is most likely a scam. There is typically no reason to wire money for application fees, security deposits or rent payments. It’s also important to understand that wiring money is like sending cash — once it has left your bank account, you won’t be able to get it back. Legitimate real estate professionals will not ask you to pay with cash, wire transfers or gift cards, especially if you have not yet seen the property.
The listing agent or property manager asks for money before you sign a lease. Another common rental scam is when the property manager or listing agent asks you to send money before you sign a lease, see the property in person or meet the agent. Committing to a rental property sight unseen is risky. Generally, you should meet the agent or send a trusted friend or family member to see the property before signing a lease and paying any fees.
The listing agent or property manager won’t let you tour the property. Scammers may tell you that the owner is out of the country or otherwise unavailable for a tour, or require you to pay a fee to see the place. These are all red flags; you should never send money before taking a tour of the property.